Keys leaves door open

A recent graduate of Rye High School, Denton Keys was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. (Chieftain photo/file)

Keys, a recent graduate of Rye High School, was drafted in the 11th round —331st pick overall — by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Major League Baseball draft.

Now, the 6-foot-3, 200pound left-handed pitcher is playing the waiting game to decide what his next move will be.

“I’m just sitting around waiting for them to call,” Keys said Thursday.

“Once they sign their first 10 rounds (of players), they will give me a call and we will start negotiating and we will figure it out from there. It was definitely exciting to get drafted and have my name called.” Keys said his agent is Adam Karon, a partner and general counsel at Sosnick Cobbe Sports in Walnut Creek, Calif. Keys also has a full-ride scholarship from the University of Kansas on the table.

“It is all going to depend on how negotiations go,” Keys, 18, said. “If I decide to go to Kansas, I will not have to report to school until the middle of August. The people at Kansas are excited for me and they support my decision.”

While Keys, with a 92 mph fastball, ponders his future, he is playing summer ball with Cherry Creek, which is in the Andenucio Memorial tournament through this weekend.

Keys said he is scheduled to pitch against Albuquerque at 2 p.m. today at Hobbs Field.

“I’m just going to keep going out and playing until they go tell me to play somewhere else,” Keys said. “(The Phillies) told me to stay in shape and they would stay in touch and get everything figured out.”